Comprehensive guide to all sections of the IELTS exam - format, content, and what to expect
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world's most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and global migration.
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English, and is accepted by over 11,000 organizations worldwide.
IELTS tests four language skills through four distinct sections:
4 sections, 40 questions
3 passages, 40 questions
2 tasks
Face-to-face interview
Total Test Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Traditional pen-and-paper format where you write answers on answer sheets.
Digital format completed on a computer with faster results.
IELTS uses a 9-band scoring system to measure English proficiency:
Overall Band Score: Average of all four skills, rounded to nearest 0.5